Blood component measurement method utilizing hemolyzed whole blood, and kit for the method

ABSTRACT

The invention is a method for determining the concentration of an analyte in whole blood, wherein the analyte is a component which is contained in the blood, is different from a component occurring only in a red blood cell, and can generate hydrogen peroxide upon the reaction with an oxidase. Whole blood is utilized in the method. The method comprises the steps of hemolyzing the whole blood and detecting hydrogen peroxide generated by the reaction between the analyte and the oxidase. The measurement method can avoid the inhibition of color development by hemoglobin and the interference with the measurement by hemoglobin. Further it can be used for biological tests that are carried out in a household, an individual doctor&#39;s clinic or at the bedside of patients without the need for any blood cell separation procedure or the like, because the measurement utilizes whole blood.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2009/063077, filed Jul. 22, 2009, and claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-189870, filed Jul. 23, 2008, all of which are incorporated by reference herein. The International Application was published in Japanese on Jan. 28, 2010 as International Publication No. WO/2010/010881 under PCT Article 21(2).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for measuring a concentration of an analyte in whole blood using the whole blood without separating blood cells by causing an oxidase oxidizing the analyte to act on the analyte in a sample in which the whole blood is mixed and hemolyzed with a hemolyzing agent to detect the resulting hydrogen peroxide. In addition, the present invention encompasses a method for converting the value of the analyte measured by the method using whole blood to the concentration thereof in serum or plasma.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Biochemical test is essential for obtaining objective information used in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases. Typical items of the examination include creatinine, uric acid, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, 1,5-anhydroglucitol, cholesterol, neutral fat, and phospholipid tests. Conventionally, most of these test items have been carried out using serum or plasma (Non Patent Literature 1 and the like).

For these clinical chemical tests using serum or plasma, a method is known which involves utilizing an oxidase specific for each analyte and measuring and quantifying hydrogen peroxide generated in the oxidization thereof by the enzyme.

For detecting the hydrogen peroxide, there are also a method using peroxidase, a method using catalase, a method using an electrode for hydrogen peroxide or oxygen detection, and other methods.

As the method using peroxidase, a method is widely used which involves using a chromogen and colorimetrically determining the generated coloring matter because it is a rapid and simple method.

However, in the case of such measurement in serum or plasma, there is inhibition of color development or interruption during colorimetric determination due to a minute amount of hemoglobin produced by hemolysis occurring during measuring operation.

For methods for measuring 1,5-anhydroglucitol as described in Patent Literature 1 and a package insert for 1,5-AG Kit for Animals (from Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.), 1,5-anhydroglucitol is measured using a treated solution obtained by adding purified water or a 10 mM EDTA aqueous solution to whole blood for hemolysis, centrifuging the hemolysate, and then passing the supernatant through a column. Thus, it is not a method for measuring 1,5-anhydroglucitol using hemolyzed whole blood as it is.

Patent Literature 2 describes a method for measuring an analyte by a test strip using a hemolysate; however, this method is also not a method using hemolyzed whole blood as it is.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: JP 08-70893 A -   Patent Document 2: JP 2003-521246 A

Non Patent Document

-   Non Patent Document 1: Kanai's Manual of Clinical Laboratory     Medicine (Thirtieth Edition), Section VII Clinical Chemical Test,     Kanehara & Co., Ltd.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The colorimetric determination of an analyte in blood using whole blood cannot avoid the inhibition of color development or interruption during colorimetric determination due to hemoglobin and has had to use the serum or plasma obtained by subjecting the whole blood to a blood cell separation operation. The blood cell separation operation before measuring an analyte in blood can be carried out in a large-scale testing facility and a facility such as a general hospital having an examination room and laboratory technicians, but cannot be performed in an individual doctor's clinic or a household having no such testing facilities.

Accordingly, for performing biochemical test in a household, an individual doctor's clinic, or the patient's bedside, there has been a need for a measuring method using whole blood without requiring a blood separation operation and the like.

Solution to Problem

As a result of intensive studies for solving the above problems, the present inventors have found a method which involves hemolyzing whole blood and then causing an oxidase for the analyte to act thereon to detect the resulting hydrogen peroxide, and particularly a method which involves measuring the analyte in blood using whole blood without performing blood cell separation by considering the chromogen and the measuring wave used in detecting the hydrogen peroxide, thereby accomplishing the present invention.

Thus, the present invention relates to:

(1) A measuring method using whole blood for a concentration of a blood component as an analyte in the whole blood, other than components present only in red blood cells and generating hydrogen peroxide when an oxidase is reacted therewith, comprising the steps of: hemolyzing the whole blood and reacting the oxidase for the analyte therewith to detect the resulting hydrogen peroxide; (2) The measuring method according to item (1) above, wherein the step of hemolyzing the whole blood comprises mixing the whole blood with a hemolyzing agent; (3) The measuring method according to item (2) above, wherein the hemolyzing agent is a surfactant; (4) The measuring method according to any one of items (1) to (3) above, wherein the step of detecting the hydrogen peroxide comprises using peroxidase and a chromogen to detect color development of a coloring matter generated from the chromogen; (5) The measuring method according to item (4) above, wherein the chromogen is an oxidative coupling-coloring chromogen; (6) The measuring method according to item (5) above, wherein the oxidative coupling-coloring chromogen is a chromogen comprising 4-aminoantipyrine, 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone or 2-hydrazono-2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-6-benzothiazolesulfonic acid; and N-ethyl-N-sulfopropyl-3,5-dimethoxyaniline, 3-hydroxy-2,4,6-triiodobenzoic acid, N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl)-3-methoxyaniline, N-sulfopropylaniline, N-ethyl-N-sulfopropyl-m-anisidine or N-ethyl-N-sulfopropylaniline; (7) The measuring method according to any one of items (4) to (6) above, wherein the detection of color development of a coloring matter is carried out by absorbance at a measurement wavelength of 580 nm to 900 nm; (8) The measuring method according to any one of items (1) to (7) above, wherein the analyte is creatinine, uric acid, glucose, 1,5-anhydroglucitol, cholesterol, neutral fat, or phospholipid; (9) The measuring method according to any one of items (1) to (8) above, wherein the analyte is 1,5-anhydroglucitol; (10) The measuring method according to item (9) above, wherein the oxidase is pyranose oxidase or L-sorbose oxidase; (11) The measuring method according to any one of items (1) to (10) above, further comprising the step of eliminating a component disturbing measurement of the analyte before the step of detecting the hydrogen peroxide; (12) A measurement kit used for the measuring method according to any one of items (1) to (11) above, comprising a reagent for hemolyzing whole blood and a reagent for detecting hydrogen peroxide; (13) The measurement kit according to item (12) above, wherein the reagent for hemolyzing whole blood is a hemolyzing agent and the reagent for detecting hydrogen peroxide is peroxidase and a chromogen; (14) The measurement kit according to item (13) above, wherein the hemolyzing agent is a surfactant and the chromogen is an oxidative coupling-coloring chromogen; (15) The measurement kit according to item (14) above, wherein the oxidative coupling-coloring chromogen is a chromogen comprising 4-aminoantipyrine, 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone or 2-hydrazono-2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-6-benzothiazolesulfonic acid; and N-ethyl-N-sulfopropyl-3,5-dimethoxyaniline, 3-hydroxy-2,4,6-triiodobenzoic acid, N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl)-3-methoxyaniline, N-sulfopropylaniline, N-ethyl-N-sulfopropyl-m-anisidine or N-ethyl-N-sulfopropylaniline; (16) The measurement kit according to any one of items (12) to (15) above, further comprising an oxidase for the analyte; (17) The measurement kit according to any one of items (12) to (16) above, wherein the analyte is 1,5-anhydroglucitol; (18) The measurement kit according to item (16) or (17) above, wherein the oxidase is pyranose oxidase or L-sorbose oxidase; (19) A conversion method of a measured value of an analyte in whole blood to a concentration of the analyte in serum or plasma by dividing the measured value of the analyte determined by the measuring method according to any one of items (1) to (11) above using the whole blood by an average value of recovery rates for whole blood measurement which are rates of measured values of the analyte obtained in advance by the measuring method according to any one of items (1) to (11) above and measured values of the analyte using serum or plasma; (20) A conversion method of a measured value of an analyte in whole blood to a concentration of the analyte in serum or plasma by measuring a numerical value relating to a hemoglobin concentration in a sample in which the whole blood is hemolyzed, and dividing a measured value of the analyte determined by the measuring method according to any one of items (1) to (11) above using the whole blood by a recovery rate for whole blood measurement obtained as a function of the numerical value; and (21) The conversion method according to item (20), wherein the numerical value related to the hemoglobin concentration in a sample is an absorbance.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the measuring method of the present invention, whole blood can be used without separating blood cells to oxidize an analyte, for example, 1,5-anhydroglucitol in the blood with an oxidase to detect the resulting hydrogen peroxide for quantification of the analyte, and the analyte can be measured simply, rapidly and accurately in a household and an individual doctor's clinic having no blood cell separation device and in the patient's bed side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the correlation between the measured values obtained by a conventional method for measuring a plasma sample (Reference Example 1) and in Example 2 in which a whole blood sample was hemolyzed before measurement.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the correlation between the measured values obtained by a conventional method for measuring a plasma sample (Reference Example 1) and in Comparative Example 2 in which a whole blood sample was not hemolyzed before measurement.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the correlation between the recovery rate for whole blood measurement (a/b) and absorbance at 24 points.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the correlation between the converted value in plasma determined from a whole blood measurement value and the actual measured value in plasma.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a measuring method using whole blood for a concentration of a blood component as an analyte in the whole blood, other than components present only in red blood cells and generating hydrogen peroxide when an oxidase is reacted therewith, comprising the steps of: hemolyzing the whole blood and reacting the oxidase for the analyte therewith to detect the resulting hydrogen peroxide.

The whole blood to which the method of the present invention is applied is blood from which blood cells are not separated, in the as-collected condition and may contain an anticoagulant and a glycolytic inhibitor contained in a blood-collecting vessel for blood collection, such as dipotassium ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA-2K), disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA-2Na), heparin, sodium fluoride, sodium citrate, and monoiodoacetic acid. A stored blood is preferably one collected using a blood-collecting vessel containing sodium fluoride and heparin.

The whole blood may also be collected with a puncture device or the like used for self monitoring of blood glucose without using a blood-collecting vessel or the like. The site for blood collection by puncture is not particularly limited; examples thereof include the outer forearm, the abdominal wall, or the upper outer arm in addition to the finger tip. The volume of collected blood is, for example, 200 μL or less, preferably of the order of 0.1 μL to 50 μL more preferably of the order of 3 μL, to 20 μL.

The analyte to which the present invention is applied is a component in blood other than components present only in red blood cells and a substance generating hydrogen peroxide on reaction with an oxidase. Non-limiting examples thereof include creatinine, uric acid, glucose, 1,5-anhydroglucitol, cholesterol, neutral fat, and phospholipid. Among others, 1,5-anhydroglucitol is preferable.

Components present only in red blood cells include, for example, hemoglobin A1c and hemoglobin.

The step of hemolyzing whole blood in the measuring method of the present invention means a step of lysing blood cells, that is, rupturing the cell membrane, and is, for example, a step comprising the mixing of a hemolyzing agent such as a surfactant-containing solution, a solution of a saponin or a hypotonic solution, or physical treatment such as freezing and thawing, ultrasonication or pressure treatment. Among others, the step comprising the mixing of a hemolyzing agent containing a surfactant with the whole blood is preferable.

The surfactant is not particularly limited provided that it can hemolyze blood without affecting the measurement of the analyte; examples thereof include surfactants such as an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant. Among others, a nonionic surfactant is preferable.

Examples of the nonionic surfactant include a polyoxyethylene surfactant, a sorbitan fatty acid ester surfactant, and a glycerin fatty acid ester surfactant; among others, a polyoxyethylene surfactant is preferable.

Examples of the polyoxyethylene surfactant include a polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether and a polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester; among others, a polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether is preferable.

The alkyl group in the polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether is preferably a (C7 to C10) alkyl group such as an octyl group or a nonyl group; examples thereof include Nonion HS210 (from NOF Corporation), Triton X-100 (from Wako Pure Chemical Industries Ltd.), Triton X-405 (from Wako Pure Chemical Industries Ltd.), and Emulgen 920 (from Kao Corporation).

The concentration of the surfactant in the hemolyzing agent is of the order of 0.0001% by weight to 10% by weight, preferably of the order of 0.01% by weight to 2% by weight.

The oxidase for an analyte in the measuring method of the present invention is not particularly limited provided that it has the ability to oxidize the analyte and produces hydrogen peroxide by oxidation reaction; a known oxidase may be used.

Examples of the oxidase include glucose oxidase for measurement of glucose, uric acid oxidase for measurement of uric acid, cholesterol oxidase for measurement of cholesterol, and pyranose oxidase or L-sorbose oxidase for measurement of 1,5-anhydroglucitol.

Examples of the pyranose oxidase or L-sorbose oxidase include pyranose oxidase produced by Basidiomycetous fungi No. 52 (deposited under Accession Number FERM BP10106 in International Patent Organism Depositary, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology) described in JP 05-304997 A or Polyporus obtusus ATCC26733 described in JP-63-185397 A, L-sorbose oxidase produced by Trametes sanguinea IFO4923, and enzymes produced by identifying genes of these enzymes, improving or modifying the genes through conventional genetic engineering techniques, and then using a recombinant Escherichia coli or the like.

Particularly preferred examples thereof include pyranose oxidase derived from Basidiomycetous fungi No. 52.

According to the measuring method of the present invention, the concentration of an oxidase during measurement is of the order of 1 KU/L to 200 KU/L, preferably of the order of 20 KU/L to 100 KU/L. In this respect, 1 U is the amount of enzyme producing 1 μmole/minute of hydrogen peroxide in an enzymatic reaction using a substrate for the enzyme at 37° C.

According to the measuring method of the present invention, the step of causing an oxidase to act to detect the resulting hydrogen peroxide is preferably a step comprising using peroxidase and a chromogen to detect the color development of a coloring matter generated from the chromogen. A chromogen from which a coloring matter having an absorption wavelength of 560 nm to 900 nm is generated is preferable; a chromogen is further preferable which generates a coloring matter having a molecular absorption coefficient of 10,000 or more in anywhere from 560 nm to 900 nm.

Examples of the chromogen include an oxidative coloring chromogen or an oxidative coupling-coloring chromogen; however, an oxidative coupling-coloring chromogen is preferable.

Examples of the oxidative coloring chromogen include N-(carboxymethylaminocarbonyl)-4,4′-bis(dimethylamino)diphenylamine sodium salt (DA64), 10-carboxymethylaminocarbonyl-3,7-bis(dimethylamino)phenothiazine sodium salt (DA67), bis[3-bis(4-chlorophenyl)methyl-4-dimethylaminophenyl]amine (BCMA), bis[3-bis(4-chlorophenyl)methyl-4-carboxyethylaminophenyl]amine, 10-N-methylcarbamoyl-3,7-dimethylamino-10H-phenothiazine (MCDP), 10-N-carboxymethylcarbamoyl-3,7-dimethylamino-10H-phenothiazine (CCAP), 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMBZ), and N,N,N′,N′,N″,N″-hexa(3-sulfopropyl)-4,4′,4″-triaminotriphenylmethane hexasodium salt (TPM-PS).

The oxidative coupling-coloring chromogen consists of two types of compounds which are oxidatively coupled in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and peroxidase to generate a coloring matter; Examples of the combination of the two types of compounds include a combination of a coupler and an aniline (Trinder's reagent) and a combination of a coupler and a phenol.

Examples of the coupler include 4-aminoantipyrine (4AAP), 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinonehydrazone (MBTH), 2-hydrazono-2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-6-benzothiazolesulfonic acid (SMBTH), N-methyl-3-methoxy-4′-amino-diphenylamine (NCP-06), and N-methyl-4-amino-diphenylamine (NCP-04).

Examples of the aniline (Trinder's reagent) or the phenol capable of being oxidatively condensed with the coupler include N-ethyl-N-(3-methylphenyl)-N′-succinylethylene diamine (EMSE), N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl)-3-methylaniline (TOOS), N-ethyl-N-sulfopropyl-3,5-dimethoxyaniline (DAPS), N-sulfopropylaniline (HALPS), N-ethyl-N-sulfopropyl-m-anisidine (ADPS), N-ethyl-N-sulfopropylaniline (ALPS), N-sulfopropyl-3,5-dimethoxyaniline (HDAPS), N-ethyl-N-sulfopropylaniline (ALPS), N-sulfopropyl-3,5-dimethylaniline (MAPS), and 3-hydroxy-2,4,6-triiodobenzoic acid (HTIB).

Among these, oxidative coupling-coloring chromogens as preferable chromogens include, for example, 4AAP, MBTH, or SMBTH as the coupler, and DAPS, HTIB, TOOS, HALPS, ADPS, or ALPS as the aniline (Trinder's reagent) or the phenol capable of being condensed with these couplers. Particularly preferred examples thereof include SMBTH and DAPS, SMBTH and HTIB, SMBTH and TOOS, SMBTH and HALPS, SMBTH and ADPS, SMBTH and ALPS, and 4AAP and ALPS.

According to the measuring method of the present invention, the working concentration of the chromogen during measurement is 0.1 mM to 100 mM, preferably 1 mM to 50 mM. The pH during measurement is 5.5 to 9.5, preferably 6.0 to 8.0.

According to the measuring method of the present invention, when the color development of a coloring matter produced from the chromogen is detected using absorbance, it may be measured on a spectrophotometer; the measurement wavelength therefor is preferably 580 to 900 nm, particularly preferably 600 to 800 nm because it is less affected by hemoglobin whose absorption peaks are around 540 nm and 575 nm.

According to the measuring method of the present invention, the step of eliminating a component disturbing the measurement of the analyte may be carried out before the step of causing an oxidase to act thereon to detect hydrogen peroxide. The elimination of a component disturbing the measurement comprises a pretreatment step in which the disturbing component is converted to a substance not reacting with the oxidase for the analyte.

As an example of the measuring method of the present invention, the measurement using a general-purpose automated analyzer used for an actual biochemical test will be described.

Examples of the general-purpose automated analyzer include Automated Analyzer Model 7150, Automated Analyzer Model 7020 and Automated Analyzer Model 9000 from Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation and an automated analyzer, BioMajesty, from JEOL Ltd.

Whole blood to be measured is set in a sample port of a general-purpose automated analyzer; a solution containing a reagent used in the step of hemolyzing the whole blood is set as a first reaction reagent; a solution containing a reagent used in the step of causing an oxidase to act on an analyte to detect the resulting hydrogen peroxide is set as a second reaction reagent; and the dispensation amount, reaction time, reaction temperature and measurement wavelength of the sample, the first reaction reagent and the second reaction reagent are inputted for measurement.

The first reaction reagent may also contain a pretreatment reagent for eliminating a component disturbing the measurement of an analyte, e.g., ascorbic acid oxidase (ASOD) for preventing the inhibition of color development due to ascorbic acid or uric acid oxidase for preventing the inhibition of color development due to uric acid, in addition to the reagent used in the step of hemolyzing the whole blood. Particularly, when 1,5-anhydroglucitol is measured using pyranose oxidase (PROD), a reagent for eliminating glucose, galactose, and the like is preferably added to the first reaction reagent as shown in Example to be described because pyranose oxidase also reacts with saccharides other than 1,5-anhydroglucitol in blood. Examples of the method for converting glucose to a substance not reacting with pyranose oxidase, which may be used include the oxidation of glucose by glucose oxidase and the phosphorylation thereof by hexokinase or glucokinase as described in Japanese Patent No. 2983015, the oxidation of glucose by glucose oxidase or glucose dehydrogenase as described in JP 2001-78797 A, and the conversion thereof to fructose-1,6-diphosphoric acid by hexokinase, phosphohexose isomerase and 6-phosphofructokinase, or glucose isomerase, fructokinase and 6-phosphofructokinase as described in Japanese Patent Nos. 3170320 and 3217180.

When an oxidative coupling-coloring chromogen used as a combination of the coupler and the aniline (Trinder's reagent) or of the coupler and the phenol is employed to detect hydrogen peroxide, they are preferably added separately to the first reaction reagent and the second reaction reagent; the oxidase for an analyte is preferably added to the second reaction reagent. Peroxidase or a leuco coloring matter used for detecting hydrogen peroxide may be added to the first reaction reagent or the second reaction reagent; however, when both of peroxidase and the leuco coloring matter are used, they are preferably added separately to the first reaction reagent and the second reaction reagent.

The first reaction reagent and the second reaction reagent also preferably have a pH of 6 to 10, and 2-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazinyl]propanesulfonic acid (HEPES), 2-morpholinoethanesulfonic acid (MES) or the like is preferably used therein as a buffering agent.

In addition, it is preferable to add a protein (e.g., bovine serum albumin), a saccharide (e.g., trehalose) and metal salts (e.g., potassium chloride and magnesium chloride) for stabilizing enzymes, sodium chloride for adjusting the salt concentration, and a chelating agent (e.g., EDTA.2Na or EDTA.2K) for preventing the inhibition of color development due to heavy metal ion contamination.

The sample amount may be of the order of 1 μL to 40 μL, preferably of the order of 2 μL to 10 μL. For the sample amount of such order, the first reaction reagent is used in an amount of the order of 50 μL to 500 μL, preferably of the order of 50 μL to 300 μL, and the second reaction reagent, in an amount of the order of 50 μL to 500 μL, preferably of the order of 50 μL to 250 μL. The mixing volume ratio of the sample and the first reaction reagent is 1:9 to 1:500, preferably 1:20 to 1:200, more preferably 1:20 to 1:140. The sample share of the total volume in the reaction vessel in the second reaction is of the order of 0.5% to 10%, preferably of the order of 1% to 5%.

The reaction time is preferably 5 minutes for the reaction of the sample and the first reaction reagent and, after the end of the reaction, further 5 minutes after addition of the second reaction reagent.

The reaction temperature is 20° C. to 37° C., preferably 37° C.

The measurement wavelength is in the range of 580 to 900 nm and may be selected depending on the absorption wavelength at the color development of a coloring matter for detection of hydrogen peroxide.

As another embodiment of the measuring method of the present invention, there is a method which involves sequentially mixing a solution containing whole blood and a hemolyzing agent, a solution containing an oxidase for an analyte, and a solution containing a reagent used in the step of causing the oxidase to act thereon to detect the resulting hydrogen peroxide in a cuvette of a spectrophotometer and measuring the absorbance of the mixture.

As still another embodiment, there is a method which involves sequentially mixing a dry agent containing a hemolyzing agent, a solution containing an oxidase for an analyte, and a solution containing a reagent used in the step of causing the oxidase to act thereon to detect the resulting hydrogen peroxide with whole blood in a cuvette of a spectrophotometer and measuring the absorbance of the mixture.

The present invention also encompasses a kit for measuring an analyte, comprising a reagent for hemolyzing whole blood and a reagent for detecting hydrogen peroxide. The measurement kit may be a kit comprising a dry reagent as the reagent for hemolyzing whole blood, a solution for reconstituting the dry agent, a dry reagent as the reagent for detecting hydrogen peroxide, and a reagent for reconstituting the latter dry reagent. One of the reagents may also consist of a dry reagent and a reconstitution solution, while the other being a liquid reagent.

The constitution of the measurement kit of the present invention may be divided into two parts or more.

Examples of the reagent for hemolyzing whole blood include the above hemolyzing agents; the above surfactant is preferable.

Examples of the reagent for detecting hydrogen peroxide include the above-described peroxidase and chromogen; the oxidative coupling-coloring chromogen is preferable. Examples of the oxidative coupling-coloring chromogen include the above-described examples; a particularly preferable combination thereof is also the same as that described above.

In addition, the kit for measuring an analyte according to the present invention may also contain an oxidase for the analyte; examples of the oxidase include the above-described oxidases.

The analyte for the measurement kit of the present invention is preferably 1,5-anhydroglucitol, and examples of the oxidase include the above-described pyranose oxidase or L-sorbose oxidase.

The present invention also encompasses a method for converting a measured value of the analyte determined by the above-described measuring method using whole blood to the concentration of the analyte in serum or plasma. The concentration of the analyte in serum or plasma is a value obtained when the analyte in serum or plasma obtained by subjecting the whole blood to blood cell separation is measured by a conventional method. The concentration of an analyte in serum or plasma determined by a conventional method is actually used in clinical sites for the diagnosis and follow-up of disease, the evaluation of a therapeutic effect, or the like, and its clinical importance has already been established; thus, the conversion method of the present invention is useful.

The conversion method of the present invention involves determining an average value of recovery rates for whole blood measurement as ratios of the measured values of an analyte determined by the measuring method of the present invention using whole blood and the measured values of the analyte obtained using the serum or plasma provided by subjecting the same kind of samples to blood cell separation in advance from many samples, and dividing the measured value of the analyte newly measured by the measuring method of the present invention using whole blood by the average value of the recovery rates for whole blood measurement to determine the concentration of the analyte in serum or plasma.

This method is more useful when the measured value in whole blood measured by hemolysis is not affected by blood cell components and the individual variations are small in the influence of blood cells on the measured value.

The conversion method of the present invention also encompasses a method which involves measuring a numerical value related to the hemoglobin concentration in a sample in which whole blood is hemolyzed and dividing the measured value of an analyte determined by the measuring method of the present invention using whole blood, by a recovery rate for whole blood measurement determined from a correlation formula between the numerical value and the recovery rate for whole blood measurement to determine the concentration of the analyte in serum or plasma.

The correlation formula is not particularly limited provided that it has a high correlation coefficient; however, preferred examples thereof include a linear approximation formula, a power approximation formula, a logarithmic approximation formula, and the like. Particularly, if an accurate correlation formula is prepared in advance using many samples, more accurate conversion can be carried out.

The present method can particularly correct the influence of an amount of blood cell components due to the individual differences or the influence on measurement derived from blood cell components in a hemolysate, enabling more accurate conversion. In addition, the conversion method of the present invention has potential to be able to correct the difference between lots of the reagent used for measurement of an analyte.

The numerical value related to the hemoglobin concentration is not particularly limited provided that it can reflect the relative hemoglobin concentration between samples; however, it is preferably the sample absorbance, for example, the absorbance of the hemolysate obtained by adding the first reaction reagent containing a hemolyzing agent to a whole blood sample. In this case, the absorbance may be measured at the absorption wavelength of any part of the absorption spectrum of hemoglobin and does not necessarily need to be measured at the absorption peak wavelength.

For example, in the case of measurement using the above general-purpose machine or the like, if the measurement wavelength for detecting hydrogen peroxide is on the shoulder of the absorption spectrum of hemoglobin, the measurement can be carried out at the wavelength. Also, if the wavelength at the shoulder of the absorption spectrum of hemoglobin is set as a subwavelength for canceling the influence of the inherent absorption of a sample, i.e., the sample blank, the absorbance can be most reasonably measured as a numerical value related to the hemoglobin concentration.

The present invention is described in further detail with reference to the following Examples, Reference Examples and Comparative Examples. However, this invention is not intended to be limited to these Examples. Each constituent shown in the following “R1 Reagent” and “R2 Reagent” is described with the concentration thereof in each reagent. In addition, the enzyme amount of 1 U is determined by a method known to the public through publication; for example, 1 U of pyranose oxidase (PROD) is the amount of enzyme using 1,5-anhydroglucitol as a substrate to reduce 1 μmole of WST-1 for one minute at 37° C.

Example 1 Measurement of 1,5-Anhydroglucitol in Whole Blood Sample by Measuring Method of the Present Invention

1,5-Anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG)-measuring reagents with the following compositions, containing surfactants as hemolyzing agents (a first reaction reagent (R1 reagent) and a second reaction reagent (R2 reagent)) were prepared to measure the 1,5-AG concentration in 21 samples of whole blood samples from 21 subjects using Automated Analyzer Model 7150 (from Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation).

R1 Reagent (Pretreatment Solution: pH 7.5): 4-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-1-piperadineethanesulfonic acid 50 mM (HEPES) Nonion HS210 0.5% KCl 50 mM NaCl 100 mM MgCl₂•6H₂O 7.5 mM NaN₃ 0.1% EDTA•2Na 0.1 mM Phosphoenolpyruvic acid (PEP) 2 mM Adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) 1 mM Pyruvate kinase (PK) 1 KU/L Glucokinase (GK) 1 KU/L Ascorbate oxidase (ASOD) 2 KU/L SMBTH 1.5 mM R2 Reagent (Color Development Solution: pH 7.5): HEPES 50 mM NaCl 100 mM NaN₃ 0.1% EDTA•2Na 0.5 mM Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) 5 KU/L Pyranose oxidase (PROD) 80 KU/L DAPS 6 mM HS210: Nonionic surfactant (from NOF Corporation) HEPES, EDTA•2Na, SMBTH, and DAPS: from Dojindo Laboratories KCl, NaCl, MgCl₂•6H₂O, and NaN₃: from Wako Pure Chemical Industries Ltd. PEP and ATP: from Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd. PK, ASOD, and HRP: from Toyobo Co., Ltd. GK: from Unitika Ltd. PROD: Derived from Basidiomycetous fungi No. 52

Using the above-mentioned reagents, the 1,5-AG concentration in 21 samples of whole blood specimens was measured with the following parameters employing Automated Analyzer Model 7150, and the results are shown in Table 1.

Measurement Parameters: Analysis method 2 Point end Measurement points 24 to 50 Sample amount  2 μL R1 reagent 280 μL R2 reagent 140 μL Temperature 37° C. Measurement wavelength (main) 750 nm Calibration method Straight-line method Reference standard (1) Saline (blank solution) Reference standard (2) 1,5-AG (50 μg/mL) saline solution

Reference Example 1 Measurement of 1,5-AG in Plasma Sample after Centrifugation of Whole Blood by Conventional Method

Twenty-one samples of the same whole blood samples as the whole blood samples measured in Example 1 were each centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 5 minutes, and the supernatant was quantitatively measured with the following parameters using a reagent for measuring 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol (Lana 1,5-AG Auto Liquid; from Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.) and Automated Analyzer Model 7150 according to an ordinary method; the results are shown in Table 1.

Measurement Parameters: Analysis method 2 Point end Measurement points 24 to 50 Sample amount  8 μL R1 Reagent of Lana 1,5-AG Auto Liquid 240 μL R2 Reagent of Lana 1,5-AG Auto Liquid 120 μL Temperature 37° C. Measurement wavelength (sub/main) 700/546 nm Calibration method Straight-line method Reference standard (1) Saline (blank solution) Reference standard (2) 1,5-AG (50 μg/mL) saline solution

Reference Example 2 Measurement of 1,5-AG in Plasma Sample after Centrifugation of Whole Blood by Same Method as that in Example 1

The same 21 samples of whole blood samples as those measured in Example 1 were each centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 5 minutes and then the supernatant was quantitatively measured for 1,5-AG with the same parameters using the same reagents as those in Example 1; the results are shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 1 Measurement of 1,5-AG in Whole Blood Sample not Subjected to Hemolysis Treatment

Twenty-one samples of the same whole blood samples as the whole blood samples measured in Example 1 were each quantitatively measured for 1,5-AG with the same parameters as those in Reference Example 1 using the same reagent for measuring 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol as that in Reference Example 1 (Lana 1,5-AG Auto Liquid; from Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.) and Automated Analyzer Model 7150; the results are Table 1.

TABLE 1 Measured Value of 1,5-AG (Unit: μg/mL) Reference Reference Comparative Example 1 Example 1 Example 2 Example 1 Reagent Lana 1,5-AG Reagent in Reagent in Lana 1,5-AG Auto Liquid Example 1 Example 1 Auto Liquid Sample Plasma Whole Blood Plasma Whole Blood 1 18.4 12.2 18.4 15.1 2 25.0 19.4 26.1 40.8 3 22.6 16.8 25.1 25.2 4 36.9 26.9 38.6 7.4 5 15.8 10.1 18.4 10.2 6 26.8 18.5 29.7 20.4 7 32.0 22.9 35.1 85.0 8 19.4 18.3 21.4 17.4 9 29.1 24.3 30.7 28.4 10 21.7 14.1 24.1 12.8 11 34.4 25.7 35.4 34.4 12 42.1 31.1 41.4 −0.6 13 12.8 11.4 14.4 7.8 14 27.0 21.3 29.2 9.0 15 20.0 14.8 21.0 12.8 16 29.2 21.2 31.5 5.4 17 21.3 13.4 28.9 67.1 18 22.9 16.3 25.9 50.0 19 19.3 15.5 22.0 9.0 20 16.1 9.6 17.2 8.3 21 22.5 14.6 25.5 16.6

From the result in Table 1, the correlation coefficient R between the measured values in Reference Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 was found to be 0.106; this result indicates that 1,5-AG in a whole blood sample cannot be measured by the reagent and method in Comparative Example 1. On the other hand, the correlation coefficient R between the measured values in Reference Example 1 and Reference Example 2 was found to be 0.976; this result indicates that 1,5-AG in a plasma sample can be measured using a reagent containing a hemolyzing agent. The correlation coefficient R between the measured values in Reference Example 1 and Example 1 was found to be 0.957, indicating that 1,5-AG in a whole blood sample can be measured using a reagent containing a hemolyzing agent.

The present invention has enabled the accurate measurement of the 1,5-AG concentration using a whole blood sample by an absorbance method.

Example 2 and Comparative Example 2 Comparison of Presence and Absence of Hemolyzing Agent

R1 reagents containing 0% (Comparative Example 2) and 0.5% (Example 2) of a surfactant, HS210, as a hemolyzing agent were each prepared to quantitatively measure 1,5-AG in 21 samples of the same whole blood samples as those in Example 1 with the following parameters using Automated Analyzer Model 7150. In Example 2, the first reaction which is the reaction of each sample and an R1 reagent is a step comprising hemolysis. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 2, hemolysis does not take place because no hemolyzing agent is contained.

For each sample, the measured value in Example 2 or Comparative Example 2 and the measured value in Reference Example 1 were plotted and are shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

Measuring Reagents in Example 2

R1 Reagent (Pretreatment Solution: pH 7.5): HEPES 50 mM Nonion HS210 0.5% KCl 50 mM NaCl 100 mM MgCl₂•6H₂O 7.5 mM NaN₃ 0.1% EDTA•2Na 0.1 mM PEP 2 mM ATP 1 mM PK 1 KU/L GK 1 KU/L ASOD 2 KU/L DAPS 3 mM R2 Reagent (Color Development Solution: pH 7.5): HEPES 50 mM NaCl 100 mM NaN₃ 0.1% EDTA•2Na 0.5 mM HRP 5 KU/L PROD 80 KU/L SMBTH 3 mM

Measuring Reagents in Comparative Example 2

R1 Reagent (Pretreatment Solution: pH 7.5): HEPES 50 mM Nonion HS210 0.0% KCl 50 mM NaCl 100 mM MgCl₂•6H₂O 7.5 mM NaN₃ 0.1% EDTA•2Na 0.1 mM PEP 2 mM ATP 1 mM PK 1 KU/L GK 1 KU/L ASOD 2 KU/L DAPS 3 mM R2 Reagent (Color Development Solution: pH 7.5): HEPES 50 mM NaCl 100 mM NaN₃ 0.1% EDTA•2Na 0.5 mM HRP 5 KU/L PROD 80 KU/L SMBTH 3 mM

Measurement Parameters in Example 2 and Comparative Example 2:

Analysis method 2 Point end Measurement points 24 to 50 Sample amount 7 μL R1 reagent 240 μL R2 reagent 120 μL Temperature 37° C. Measurement wavelength (main) 750 nm Calibration method Straight-line method Reference standard (1) Saline (blank solution) Reference standard (2) 1,5-AG (50 μg/mL) saline solution

As shown in FIG. 1, the correlation coefficient R between the measured values in Example 2 and Reference Example 1 obtained by hemolyzing whole blood using the R1 reagents containing a hemolyzing agent was found to be 0.989, indicating good correlation. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the correlation coefficient R between the measured values in Comparative Example 2 and Reference Example 1 obtained by not hemolyzing whole blood using the R1 reagents containing no hemolyzing agent was found to be 0.499, demonstrating that no correlation existed therebetween and 1,5-AG could not be measured.

These results indicate that the hemolysis of whole blood is advantageous for measurement of an analyte in whole blood.

Examples 3 to 6

Measurement of 1,5-AG Using Various Oxidative Coupling-Coloring Chromogens

SMBTH-HTIB (Example 3), SMBTH-HALPS (Example 4), SMBTH-ADPS (Example 5) or 4AAP-ALPS (Example 6) was used as an oxidative coupling-coloring chromogen to qualitatively measure 1,5-AG in 21 samples of the same whole blood samples as those in Example 1 with the following parameters employing Automated Analyzer Model 7150; the correlation coefficients with the measured values in Reference Example 1 are shown in Table 2.

Measurement Reagents in Example 3

R1 Reagent (Pretreatment Solution: pH 7.5): HEPES 50 mM Nonion HS210 0.5% KCl 50 mM NaCl 100 mM MgCl₂•6H₂O 7.5 mM NaN₃ 0.1% EDTA•2Na 0.1 mM PEP 2 mM ATP 1 mM PK 1 KU/L GK 1 KU/L ASOD 2 KU/L SMBTH 1.5 mM R2 Reagent (Color Development Solution: pH 7.5): HEPES 50 mM NaCl 100 mM NaN₃ 0.1% EDTA•2Na 0.5 mM HRP 5 KU/L PROD 80 KU/L HTIB 6 mM

Measurement Parameters in Example 3:

Analysis method 2 Point end Measurement points 27 to 50 Sample amount 7 μL R1 reagent 240 μL R2 reagent 120 μL Temperature 37° C. Measurement wavelength (main) 750 nm Calibration method Straight-line method Reference standard (1) Saline (blank solution) Reference standard (2) 1,5-AG (50 μg/mL) saline solution

The correlation coefficient between the resultant measured values and the measured values in Reference Example 1 is shown in Table 2.

Measurement Reagents in Example 4

HTIB (6 mM) in the R2 reagent (color development solution: pH 7.5) of Example 3 was replaced with HALPS (6 mM) to measure 1,5-AG in 21 samples of the whole blood samples with the same parameters as those in Example 3; the correlation coefficient between the resultant measured values and the measured values in Reference Example 1 is shown in Table 2.

Measurement Reagents in Example 5

HTIB (6 mM) in the R2 reagent (color development solution: pH 7.5) of Example 3 was replaced with ADPS (6 mM) to measure 1,5-AG in 21 samples of the whole blood samples with the same parameters as those in Example 3; the correlation coefficient between the resultant measured values and the measured values in Reference Example 1 is shown in Table 2.

Measurement Reagents in Example 6

SMBTH (1.5 mM) in the R1 reagent (pretreatment solution: pH 7.5) of Example 3 and HTIB (6 mM) in the R2 reagent (color development solution: pH 7.5) thereof were replaced with 4AAP (1.5 mM) and ALPS (6 mM), respectively to measure 1,5-AG in 21 samples of the whole blood samples with the same parameters as those in Example 3; the correlation coefficient between the resultant measured values and the measured values in Reference Example 1 is shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Correlation Coefficient between Resultant Measured Values and Measured Values in Reference Example 1 Correlation Coefficient R Example 3 0.978 Example 4 0.959 Example 5 0.996 Example 6 0.923

The results in Table 2 show that the correlation coefficient between the measured values in Example 3, 4, 5, or 6 and the measured values in Reference Example 1 was 0.92 or more, indicating a high correlation; it is apparent that the measuring method of the present invention using these oxidative coupling-coloring chromogens provides accurate measurement results.

Example 7 Measurement of Glucose by Measuring Method of the Present Invention

Using the following R1 and R2 reagents, glucose in 3 samples of whole blood samples was quantitatively measured with the following parameters employing Automated Analyzer Model 7150; the results are shown in Table 3.

R1 Reagent (Pretreatment Solution: pH 7.5): HEPES 50 mM Nonion HS210 0.5% KCl 50 mM NaCl 100 mM MgCl₂•6H₂O 7.5 mM NaN₃ 0.1% EDTA•2Na 0.1 mM Bovine serum albumin 0.06% ASOD 5 KU/L DAPS 3 mM R2 Reagent (Color Development Solution: pH 7.5): HEPES 50 mM NaCl 100 mM NaN₃ 0.1% EDTA•2Na 0.5 mM Potassium ferrocyanide 0.1 mM HRP 5 KU/L Glucose oxidase 20 KU/L SMBTH 3 mM

Measurement Parameters in Example 7:

Analysis method 2 Point end Measurement points 24 to 50 Sample amount 2 μL R1 reagent 280 μL R2 reagent 140 μL Temperature 37° C. Measurement wavelength (main) 750 nm Calibration method Straight-line method Reference standard (1) Saline (blank solution) Reference standard (2) Glucose (200 mg/dL) aqueous solution

Reference Example 3 Measurement of Glucose in Serum by Ordinary Method

Using GL-5 Kainos (from Kainos Laboratories, Inc.) as a reagent for measuring glucose in serum, the glucose concentration in the serum obtained by collection simultaneous with the blood measured in Example 7 was measured employing Automated Analyzer Model 7150; the results obtained are shown in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Measured Value of Glucose (Unit: mg/dL) Reference Example 3 Example 7 (Plasma) (Whole Blood) Whole Blood Sample 1 106.0 99.5 Whole Blood Sample 2 105.0 106.2 Whole Blood Sample 3 86.3 84.4

The results in Table 3 shows that the measured values in Reference Example 3 as measured values of the glucose concentration in plasma were in good agreement with the measured values in Example 7 as measured values by the method of the present invention using whole blood; thus, it is apparent that glucose can be measured using whole blood by the measuring method of the present invention.

Reference Example 4 Relation Between Hemolyzing Agent Concentration in R1 Reagent and Hemolysis

To examine the relation between the hemolyzing agent concentration in an R1 reagent and homolysis, saline as a solution isotonic with blood cells was used as the R1 reagent and a nonionic surfactant, HS210, was used as a hemolyzing agent. Hemolysis does not occur when whole blood is mixed with saline since saline is isotonic with blood cells; thus, light transmission is hindered by the presence of cells, which increases the absorbance (ABS) at 25 points (5 minutes after mixing a whole blood specimen with the following R1 reagent) to 39,000 or more measured with the following parameters using Automated Analyzer Model 7150. Such high absorbance at 25 points is made outside the measurement range of an absorption spectrometer, is responsible for variation, and does not enable the accurate measurement of absorption for the coloring matter generated in a second reaction as a detection reaction following a first reaction.

In contrast, the use of purified water in place of saline causes hemolysis because of an osmotic change in blood cell due to the mixing of purified water and decreases the absorbance at 25 points to one-tenth that for saline.

Absorbance (ABS) at 25 points (5 minutes after mixing a whole blood specimen with each of R1 reagents (salines containing various concentrations of HS210)) was measured with the following parameters using Automated Analyzer Model 7150; the results are shown in Table 4.

In addition, 14 μL of the whole blood sample and 560 μL of each R1 reagent were mixed in a microtube and allowed to stand at room temperature for 1 hour, which was then observed for presence of sedimentation of blood cells; the results are shown in Table 4.

Measurement Parameters in Reference Example 4

Measurement points 25 Sample amount 7 μL R1 reagent 280 μL R2 reagent 0 μL Temperature 37° C. Measurement wavelength (main) 600 nm

TABLE 4 Relation between Hemolyzing Agent Concentration in R1 Reagent and Hemolysis HS210 Concentration (%) ABS at 25 Points Presence of Blood in R1 Reagent (OD × 10,000) Cell Sedimentation 0 39713 Yes 0.01 39772 Yes 0.03 8466 Yes 0.05 2230 No 0.1 1962 No 0.3 1768 No 0.5 1846 No 1.0 1403 No 2.0 1590 No Reference: Purified 2602 No Water Used as R1 Reagent.

The results in Table 4 show that the sample was hemolyzed in the case of the HS210 concentration in the R1 reagent being 0.05% or more since ABS at 600 nm was remarkably decreased and no blood cell sedimentation occurred as in the test with purified water. The concentration of hemolyzing agents optimal for hemolysis depends on the type of hemolyzing agents, the composition of an R1 reagent, and the mixing ratio of a sample and the R1 reagent; thus, the agents are preferably used by determining their respective optimal concentrations.

Example 8 Method for Converting Measured Value of 1,5-AG Obtained Using Whole Blood Sample to 1,5-AG Concentration in Plasma (1)

1,5-AG was measured using “1,5-AG Kit for Animals” (from Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.) to study a method for correcting the measured value of 1,5-AG in whole blood to the 1,5-AG concentration in plasma.

Using blood-collecting vessels containing EDTA, 2 mL each of whole blood samples of 7 subjects were collected, and each sample was divided into a sample for whole blood measurement and a sample for plasma measurement. In addition, the hematocrit value was measured using a portion of the sample for whole blood measurement.

To 100 μL of purified water was added 25 μL, of each sample, which was then strongly stirred and diluted quintuple. The whole blood specimen sample was checked for light transmission for confirmation of complete hemolysis.

To a pretreatment column of the “1,5-AG Kit for Animals” conditioned with purified water in advance were added a reference solution containing no 1,5-AG (purified water), a reference solution having a 1,5-AG concentration of 5 μg/mL, or 100 μL of each of the quintuple diluted samples, and the eluates were pooled in separate test tubes. Next, 300 μL of purified water was added to each pretreatment column to elute 1,5-AG; the operation of adding 300 μL of purified water was further repeated 2 times to completely recover 1,5-AG. The volume of the solution pooled in each test tube reached 1.0 mL.

A coloring reagent (100 μL) of the “1,5-AG Kit for Animals” and an enzyme reagent (100 μL) were added to each test tube and stirred, followed by immersion in a thermostat at 20° C. for reaction for 30 minutes. After reaction, 100 μL of a reaction-stopping solution of the “1,5-AG Kit for Animals” was added to the test tube and stirred to stop the enzyme reaction.

A microcell having an optical path length of 1 cm was used to measure the absorbance of each reaction solution at 727 nm using purified water as a control. A two-point calibration curve was made from the absorbance of a reference solution containing no 1,5-AG and a 5 μg/mL reference solution, and it was used to determine the 1,5-AG concentration in each sample from the absorbances of each reaction solution; the results are shown in Table 5. The reference solutions and the samples were each subjected to measure twice, and the average value thereof are shown.

Then, the ratios of the measured values obtained by dividing the measured values (a) of 1,5-AG in the whole blood samples by the measured values (b) of 1,5-AG in plasma samples, that is, the recovery rates for whole blood measurement (a/b) were determined and are shown in Table 5 and the average value thereof was calculated.

For this Example, the average value is 0.85, showing that the measured values of 1,5-AG in the whole blood samples are of the order of 15% lower than the measured values of 1,5-AG in the plasma samples.

Accordingly, the converted values of the 1,5-AG measured value determined by dividing the measured values of 1,5-AG in the whole blood samples by the average value of the above ratios (a/b) are shown in Table 5. These converted values were in good agreement with the 1,5-AG concentrations in plasma samples.

The results of this Example showed no correlation between the hematocrit values and the above ratios (a/b) (correlation coefficient R: 0.067); thus, the hematocrit value cannot be directly used for correction.

In the test of this Example, analysis was carried out based on the results from only 7 cases of samples; it will be apparent that the same analysis using many samples enables more accurate converted values to be derived.

TABLE 5 Measured Value of 1,5-AG Obtained by Colum Method Correction by a/b Average Value Measured Value of Recovery 1,5-AG (μg/mL) Rate for Whole Whole Blood Converted Blood Measurement Value Hematocrit Sample (a) Plasma (b) (a/b) (μg/mL) (%) 1 7.4 8.7 0.85 8.7 33 2 12.6 14.9 0.85 14.8 38 3 11.6 12.8 0.91 13.6 40 4 20.8 24.7 0.84 24.5 38 5 19.4 22.3 0.87 22.8 45 6 23.8 28.0 0.85 28.0 41 7 24.1 29.8 0.81 28.4 40 Average 17.1 20.0 0.85 20.1 39 Value

Example 9 Method for Converting Measured Value of 1,5-AG Obtained Using Whole Blood Sample to 1,5-AG Concentration in Plasma (2)

A method was studied for converting the value of 1,5-AG measured in a whole blood sample using Automated Analyzer Model 7150 as a general-purpose measuring device for biochemical test to the 1,5-AG concentration in plasma.

Using blood-collecting vessels containing EDTA, 2 mL each of whole blood samples from 21 subjects were collected, and each sample was divided into a sample for whole blood measurement and a sample for plasma measurement.

The samples for plasma measurement each using the plasma obtained by centrifuging the whole blood sample, were measured for the value of 1,5-AG by the method of Reference Example 1. The resultant measured values are shown in Table 6.

The samples for whole blood measurement were measured for the 1,5-AG concentration with the following parameters using the R1 and R2 reagents prepared in the following compositions; the resultant measured values are shown Table 6.

R1 Reagent (Pretreatment Solution: pH 7.5): HEPES 50 mM Nonion HS210 0.5% KCl 50 mM NaCl 100 mM MgCl₂•6H₂O 7.5 mM NaN₃ 0.1% EDTA•2Na 0.1 mM PEP 2 mM ATP 1 mM PK 1 KU/L GK 1 KU/L ASOD 2 KU/L SMBTH 1.5 mM R2 Reagent (Color Development Solution: pH 7.5): HEPES 50 mM NaCl 100 mM NaN₃ 0.1% EDTA•2Na 0.5 mM HRP 5 KU/L PROD 80 KU/L TOOS 6 mM Measurement Parameters: Analysis method 2 Point end Measurement points 27 to 50 Sample amount 7 μL R1 reagent 280 μL R2 reagent 140 μL Temperature 37° C. Measurement wavelength (main) 600 nm Calibration method Straight-line method Reference standard (1) Saline (blank solution) Reference standard (2) 1,5-AG (50 μg/mL) saline solution

Recovery rates for whole blood measurement (a/b) as ratios of the measured values (a) of 1,5-AG in the whole blood samples and the measured values (b) of 1,5-AG in the plasma samples were determined to examine a hemoglobin-derived factor having measured values correlating with the recovery rates. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, absorbances (mABS) at 24 points in measuring the whole blood samples, that is, absorbances before addition of the R2 reagent, were found to show good correlation with the recovery rates for whole blood measurement (a/b) (correlation coefficient R: 0.67). From this, the following correlation formula as a linear approximation formula is derived:

Recovery rate for whole blood measurement(a/b;%)=−0.0127×(Absorbance at 24 points;mABS)+125.65.

This can be used to convert the measured value of 1,5-AG in a whole blood sample to the 1,5-AG concentration in plasma by dividing the measured value by the recovery rate for whole blood measurement (a/b) calculated from absorbance before addition of the R2 reagent.

Absorbances at 24 points in measuring 1,5-AG in the whole blood samples are shown in Table 6. Using each of these absorbances, the converted value determined by dividing the measured value of 1,5-AG in each whole blood sample by the recovery rate of whole blood measurement (a/b) calculated using the above correlation formula is shown in Table 6.

As shown in FIG. 4, these converted values were extremely close to the measured values of 1,5-AG in the corresponding plasma samples (correlation formula: converted value=0.9521 (measured value in plasma)+1.0472) and had high correlation therewith (correlation coefficient R=0.9937), demonstrating that the conversion method of the present invention is useful.

TABLE 6 Measured Value of 1,5-AG Obtained Using General-Purpose Measuring Machine for Biochemical Test Measured Value Absorbance of 1,5-AG Recovery before Addition (μg/mL) Rate for of R2 in Converted Whole Whole Blood Measuring Value Blood Plasma Measurement Whole Blood of 1,5-AG Sample (a) (b) (a/b: %) (mABS) (μg/mL) 1 15.1 18.4 81.8 3604 18.8 2 19.3 25.0 77.1 3808 24.9 3 18.7 22.6 82.6 3632 23.5 4 28.1 36.9 76.0 3655 35.4 5 13.1 15.8 83.2 3401 15.9 6 21.5 26.8 80.3 3805 27.8 7 23.2 32.0 72.5 4029 31.1 8 16.7 19.4 86.3 3223 19.8 9 23.7 29.1 81.3 3663 29.9 10 17.5 21.7 80.7 3513 21.6 11 26.9 34.4 78.3 3742 34.5 12 33.2 42.1 78.9 3580 41.4 13 12.0 12.8 93.6 3246 14.2 14 20.4 27.0 75.7 3544 25.3 15 15.8 20.0 79.0 3290 18.8 16 22.7 29.2 77.7 3485 27.9 17 16.4 21.3 77.0 3802 21.2 18 18.6 22.9 81.1 3744 23.8 19 16.1 19.3 83.2 3071 18.5 20 12.4 16.1 76.7 3733 15.8 21 17.5 22.5 77.8 3722 22.3

Similarly, analysis was carried out using a power approximation formula and a logarithmic approximation formula. The correlation formulas are: Recovery rate for whole blood measurement (a/b; %)=6942.4×(Absorbance at 24 points; mABS)^(−0.5456) and Recovery rate for whole blood measurement (a/b; %)=−44.558×In(Absorbance at 24 points; mABS)+444.63 (In: natural logarithm), respectively. The converted values determined from the measured values in whole blood using these correlation formulas were extremely close to the measured values of 1,5-AG in the corresponding plasma samples and showed high correlation therewith. The correlation formulas and correlation coefficients were: Converted value=0.9542×(Measured value in plasma)+1.0403 and Correlation coefficient=0.9936 for the power approximation formula and Converted value=0.9536×(Measured value in plasma)+1.0362 and Correlation coefficient=0.9937 for the logarithmic approximation formula.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the measuring method of the present invention, whole blood can be used without separating blood cells to oxidize an analyte, for example, 1,5-anhydroglucitol in the blood with an oxidase to detect the resulting hydrogen peroxide for quantification of the analyte, and the analyte can be measured simply, rapidly and accurately in a household and an individual doctor's clinic having no blood cell separation device and in the patient's bed side.

In addition, the measured value of the analyte measured by the measuring method of the present invention using a whole blood sample is converted to the concentration thereof in serum or plasma by the conversion method of the present invention to easily enable contrast with a previous test value and comparison with a reference value in serum or plasma. 

1. A measuring method using whole blood for measuring a concentration of a an analyte in the whole blood, wherein said analyte is a blood component other than components present only in red blood cells and wherein said analyte generates hydrogen peroxide when an oxidase is reacted therewith, comprising the steps of: hemolyzing the whole blood, and detecting hydrogen peroxide generated by reacting said analyte with the oxidase.
 2. The measuring method according to claim 1, wherein the step of hemolyzing the whole blood comprises mixing the whole blood with a hemolyzing agent.
 3. The measuring method according to claim 2, wherein the hemolyzing agent is a surfactant.
 4. The measuring method according to claim 1, wherein the step of detecting the hydrogen peroxide comprises using peroxidase and a chromogen to detect color development of a coloring matter generated from the chromogen.
 5. The measuring method according to claim 4, wherein the chromogen is an oxidative coupling-coloring chromogen.
 6. The measuring method according to claim 5, wherein the oxidative coupling-coloring chromogen is a chromogen comprising 4-aminoantipyrine, 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone or 2-hydrazono-2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-6-benzothiazolesulfonic acid; and N-ethyl-N-sulfopropyl-3,5-dimethoxyaniline, 3-hydroxy-2,4,6-triiodobenzoic acid, N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl)-3-methoxyaniline, N-sulfopropylaniline, N-ethyl-N-sulfopropyl-m-anisidine or N-ethyl-N-sulfopropylaniline.
 7. The measuring method according to claim 4, wherein the detection of color development of a coloring matter is carried out by absorbance at a measurement wavelength of 580 nm to 900 nm.
 8. The measuring method according to claim 1, wherein the analyte is creatinine, uric acid, glucose, 1,5-anhydroglucitol, cholesterol, neutral fat, or phospholipid.
 9. The measuring method according to claim 1, wherein the analyte is 1,5-anhydroglucitol.
 10. The measuring method according to claim 9, wherein the oxidase is pyranose oxidase or L-sorbose oxidase.
 11. The measuring method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of eliminating a component disturbing measurement of the analyte before the step of detecting the hydrogen peroxide.
 12. A measurement kit used for the measuring method according to claim 1, comprising a reagent for hemolyzing whole blood and a reagent for detecting hydrogen peroxide.
 13. The measurement kit according to claim 12, wherein the reagent for hemolyzing whole blood is a hemolyzing agent and the reagent for detecting hydrogen peroxide is peroxidase and a chromogen.
 14. The measurement kit according to claim 13, wherein the hemolyzing agent is a surfactant and the chromogen is an oxidative coupling-coloring chromogen.
 15. The measurement kit according to claim 14, wherein the oxidative coupling-coloring chromogen is a chromogen comprising 4-aminoantipyrine, 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone or 2-hydrazono-2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-6-benzothiazolesulfonic acid; and N-ethyl-N-sulfopropyl-3,5-dimethoxyaniline, 3-hydroxy-2,4,6-triiodobenzoic acid, N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl)-3-methoxyaniline, N-sulfopropylaniline, N-ethyl-N-sulfopropyl-m-anisidine or N-ethyl-N-sulfopropylaniline.
 16. The measurement kit according to claim 12, further comprising an oxidase for the analyte.
 17. The measurement kit according to claim 12, wherein the analyte is 1,5-anhydroglucitol.
 18. The measurement kit according to claim 16, wherein the oxidase is pyranose oxidase or L-sorbose oxidase.
 19. A conversion method for converting a measured value of an analyte in whole blood to a concentration of the analyte in serum or plasma by dividing the measured value of the analyte determined by the measuring method according to claim 1 using whole blood, by an average value of recovery rates for whole blood measurement, which are rates of measured values of the analyte obtained in advance by the measuring method according to claim 1 and measured values of the analyte using serum or plasma.
 20. A conversion method for converting a measured value of an analyte in whole blood to a concentration of the analyte in serum or plasma by measuring a numerical value relating to a hemoglobin concentration in a sample in which the whole blood is hemolyzed, and dividing the measured value of the analyte determined by the measuring method according to claim 1 using whole blood, by a recovery rate for whole blood measurement obtained as a function of the numerical value.
 21. The converting method according to claim 20, wherein the numerical value related to the hemoglobin concentration in a sample is an absorbance.
 22. The measurement kit according to claim 17, wherein the oxidase is pyranose oxidase or L-sorbose oxidase. 